Black Forest Park

General Information / HistoryThe Black Forest tract is located in Block 3 of South Carondelet Suburbs, a subdivision laid out in 1857 by John C. Ivory. The Ivory Station of the Iron Mountain Railroad was located at the southeast corner of this block, at the east end of Ripa Avenue.

In 1958, St. Louis County purchased the 4.25 acres. The following year a contract was set for development. The park was opened to the public in 1960. Initial park development included a restroom/shelter combination, a playground and one ballfield.Austin Tao & Associates prepared a master plan for the park in 1984. Black Forest Park was rededicated on July 21, 1989. Park renovation was undertaken in 2003 using a grant from the Economic Development Incentive Program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Click here for more history on Black Forest Park.

Park Postings:

(As of 1/24/18 10:30 a.m.)

* The lake and all boat ramps at Creve Couer Park will be closed to all activities starting 1/24 - 2/23 as part of the Asian Carp removal project. The trail in the Sailboat Cove area, as well the entire parking lot at the Sailboat Cove will be also be closed for the duration of the project. Large portions of the trail will still be available, but it will no longer be able to circumvent the lake. The timeline may change due to weather. For your safety, please adhere to all postings while at the park.
*Riverside trail at Simpson is open, however there is a 50 ft. section at the eastern end that had to be re-routed. The footing is sand and dirt. Users should be cautious of sand smears across the trail after rain events.

* Unger Park roads are open to the Riverside Trail Parking lot, however, the Riverside Trail remains closed beyond this parking lot

* Sherman Beach and Al Foster Trails are passable but have areas with sand and debris on them.

* The Bottomland Trail along Grant's Trail was severely damaged during periods of heavy rain. For safety reasons, this short trail has been closed. Plans are being developed to relocate the trail away from Gravois Creek.

* The east side of Cliff Cave Road including the field, River Bluff Trail and Spring Valley Trail are closed at Cliff Cave Park for construction.